Headline: Sheinbaum‘s Government Fires Back at PAN: ‘They’re Lying’ About Gasoline Price Limit
In a strongly-worded response, the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum has accused the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) of lying, following claims that Morena refused to cap the price of gasoline below 20 pesos in the Chamber of Deputies.
During Friday’s morning press conference, Prosecutor General of the Consumer Protection Federal Agency (Profeco), Iván Escalante, rebuked the PAN’s accusations. "To all PAN members who claim that Morena’s parliamentary group refused to limit gasoline prices below 20 pesos, we say they are lying, as there is no record of such a statement," Escalante said.
Meanwhile, President Sheinbaum assured that her administration is fulfilling its commitment not to increase gasoline prices in real terms, with current prices ranging between 23.50 and 24 pesos. She explained that this margin is reasonable for gas station owners’ profits, including the tax known as IEPS. However, she acknowledged that some gas stations are selling gasoline at 28 pesos (referring to Magna gasoline), which she described as "unjustified."
Escalante highlighted that during the first three months of Sheinbaum’s government, there has been a 0.4 percent decrease in gasoline prices, from 23.95 to 23.85 pesos by January 2, 2025. This figure is lower than that registered in countries like South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Gasoline Price Evolution: Peña, Calderón, or AMLO?
Escalante detailed the evolution of regular gasoline prices during the administrations of Felipe Calderón, Enrique Peña Nieto, and Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Under Calderón (2006-2012), the price increased from 14.75 to 18.10 pesos, representing a 22.9 percent jump. During Peña Nieto’s term (2012-2018), the price surged from 18.25 to 26.01 pesos, a 42.8 percent hike, marked by notorious "gasolinazos." In contrast, under López Obrador, prices decreased from 25.48 to 24.15 pesos, a 5.2 percent drop, keeping his promise not to raise prices in real terms.
Profeco’s ‘Nametags’ for Abusive Gas Stations
As part of its strategy to denounce abusive gas stations, Profeco has announced that from the following week of January, it will place banners reading "Don’t fill up here, they jack up the prices" at stations with elevated prices. President Sheinbaum confirmed that Profeco will place a ‘scarlet letter’ on gas stations to inform consumers if they are within or beyond the acceptable price range for gasoline.
